Pentagon Reduces Recognized Religious Affiliations

The U.S. Department of Defense announced a major cut in the number of religious affiliations it officially recognizes. The new list, containing 31 options, replaces more than 200 previously recognized traditions service members could choose from. Atheists, Unitarian Universalists, pagans, and Wiccans are no longer included.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated in a release that these changes do not comment on the legitimacy of any faith or belief. Instead, the revisions aim to help chaplains quickly understand the religious makeup of their units to better allocate resources.

Parnell emphasized the value the Department of Defense places on the free exercise of religion. Chaplains play a key role in ensuring service members can pursue their chosen faith, or none at all.

The list creates broader categories for some Christian traditions such as Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist, without specific denominations. Service members can identify as “no religion,” “other religions,” or agnostic. Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Baha’ism, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are included.

“This may make it difficult for our uniformed personnel to access the spiritual care they need,” stated the Unitarian Universalist Association, which was removed from the list.

They are working on a strategic response to support Unitarian Universalist service members. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has integrated his evangelical Christianity into his leadership at the Pentagon, organizing worship services and frequently discussing the nation as Christian.

Hegseth first announced the impending changes in December, asserting that the extensive list of faith codes had become unmanageable. Reverend Paul Raushenbush, a Baptist minister and Interfaith Alliance leader, criticized the move, claiming it pushes a narrow religious view from the top of the command chain.

Raushenbush argued that the First Amendment bars the government from creating a hierarchy of faiths, and certainly from deciding which beliefs deserve recognition. The U.S. military is religiously diverse, with nearly 70% of troops identifying as Christian, according to a 2019 Congressional report. Nearly a quarter of the troops were classified as other, unclassified, or unknown.

Irene Glasse, a pagan religious professional and Marine veteran, stressed the importance of representation for minority religions. She remarked that this move overlooks many who have served proudly and honorably.

This report includes contributions from AP journalist Konstantin Toropin. Religion coverage by The Associated Press is supported by The Conversation US and funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. However, AP is solely responsible for this content.